Junior World Cup 2014

Wembley Football Club felt the need to create The World Cup Project with THE AIM to promote positive relationships between different ethnic groups in the Brent wards/neighbourhoods. The World Cup Project would also enhance the government agenda of tackling obesity and getting young people into positive physical activities. The project would bring together different communities to foster good community spirit.

On the 7th June 2014 four under 13s girl’s teams took to the field to contest the World Cup Tournament: Brazil, Italy, Spain, & England. Despite a two-hour downpour on the morning spirits were not dampened, after a delayed start the tournament began in earnest with the playing of the national anthems of the countries represented. Each team waved their country’s flag as they paraded in front of an enthusiastic crowd who really entered into the fun spirit of the event. The football displayed was competitive and played in a friendly atmosphere.

As well as the football on the field there were plenty of fun activities, face painting and various food stalls for other children and spectators to enjoy

GIRLS TOURNAMENT WORLD CUP WINNERS: SPAIN

The Girls tournament worthy winners were Spain, however every squad player of every team went home with their new kit and a beautiful trophy to commemorate the event.

Sunday June 8th saw the boy’s tournament get underway. This time the weather was kind from the beginning with the sun shining all day. Eight teams contested the tournament: Brazil, England, Spain, Italy, Nigeria, Germany, Japan and Argentina. Once again the spectacular opening ceremony was enthusiastically greeted by spectators and players alike, with plenty of flag waving as each country’s national anthem was played.

The football was eagerly contested with two leagues of four teams battling for a place in the semi-finals. Spain and Japan were the two teams who made it through to the finals with Japan coming through as the eventual winners.

The day itself went brilliantly with hundreds of people in attendance all enjoying the activities and events, and every squad player got to go home with a new kit and a trophy to commemorate the event.

(Below) Some of the Wembley Foundation coaches who helped the weekend go so brilliantly.

Above: Enthusiastic participants in the FA ‘red v blue’ “love football play football” initiative. Below: Andrew Perrin, of Middlesex FA and the winning entrant of the cultural display.

The beauty of this tournament was that every player of every team, whether they finished top or bottom, got to go home with a new football kit and one of these beautiful inscribed trophies (above). Of course the WINNERS got to lift a stunning replica World Cup trophy which proved to be very popular and was included in many photographs as people jostled to have their picture taken with it.